African violet plant Lucy

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Lucy characterized by its single, occasionally semi-double, dark lilac flowers with darker center; strong, upright flower stems that curve toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to round leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long-lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the culivar name Lucy.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation M 26, and is a product of a planned breedingprogram. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in thecontrolled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. Thefemale, or seed parent was cultivar designated 4194. The male, or pollenparent was a cultivar designated 4196.

Lucy was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, WestGermany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, asperformed by me at Haffen, West Germany has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Lucy has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. under greenhouse conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Lucy, which in combination distinguish thisAfrican violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving toward the center.

(2) Dark lilac, single, occasionally semi-double flowers.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 8-10 and more upright flower stems, each of whichcarries 7-10 and more flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Medium green, oval to round leaves.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 1 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical Classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Lucy.

Parentage:

Male parent.--4196.

Female parent.--4194.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by left cuttings.

Plant: From 9 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately 25cm to 28 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval to round. Diameter: 65-75 mm. Texture:Leatherlike. Aspect: Shiny, hairy. Veins: Upperside: well visible.Underside: very well pronounced, light green, shiny. Color (upperside):Yellow-Green Group 147 A. Color (underside): Greyed-Green Group 194 C toD. Petiole: Very strong, reddish-brown hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Ball-shaped, 6-8 mm just before opening, lilac. Sepals:Five (5). Color: Green with brownish touch. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped.Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy.Color: Reddish-brown. Individual flowers: Size: 35-40 mm. Shape: Singleviolet-shaped (3 large and 2 small petals), occasionally semi-double.Color (upperside): Purple-Violet Group 80 A to B. Under coolertemperatures and more intensive lighting, the lilac color tends tointensify. Color (underside): Purple-Violet Group 80 B to C. Borne: Eachflower stem carries 7-10 and more flowers on strong, upright pedunclethat are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compactbouquet. Flowering Habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anthercells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish greenwith purple traces, 4 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7 A. Styles: 6mm long, purple, base ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Lucy has a very attractive appearance due to itsdark lilac flowers contracting nicely with the bright yellow anthers. Atight bouquet of flowers free standing above the leaves develops afterapproximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 8-10 and more flower stemscarries 7-10 single, occasionally semi-double flowers. The color in thecenter of the flower is darker and radiates into the two small petals.The flowers are long-lasting and non-dropping and the seed capsules pushslightly through. Medium green, oval to round leaves give the plant afresh look.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Lucy, asdescribed and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its single,occasionally semi-double, dark lilac flowers with darker center; strong,upright flower stems that curve toward the center to form a compactbouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to round leaves; profuseflowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting,and its long-lasting and non-dropping flowers.